Truck



y Patented Dect 19, 1944 TRUCK Davia M. Light, cmcaganl., assignor toAmerican Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New JerseyApplication Gctober 11, 1941, Serial' No. 414,550`

34-Claims.

` My invention relates to a railway car truck and more particularly to afour wheel railway car truck utilizing a novel spring suspensioncomprising friction elements in engagement with the columns of the frameand with the ends of a spring cap mounted on a bolster supportingauxiliary spring.

. The general object of my invention is to devise a novel form ofrailway freight car truck of the above type suitable for high speedfreight car service and adapted to development of varying amounts offriction as may be required underdifferent operating conditions.

A specific object of my invention is to devise a high speed quick wheelchange type of freight car truck utilizing truss side frames Withcentral bolster openings in which the ends of the load carrying memberor bolster may be spring supported, the bottom wall of the bolster beinginterlocked with a novelV form of friction shoe having frictionalengagement with the adjacent column, said shoe also having frictionalengagement with a spring cap with which the bolster is also interlocked.

In my novel arrangement, the truck comprises a side frame having atwo-level tension member, the upper level affording a seat for aplurality of long travel coil springs, said upper level being cut awaycentrally of the frame to afford an opening for a somewhat longerbolster supporting coil spring, said spring supporting on the topthereof a spring cap comprising V-shaped friction surfaces at the endsthereof 'in frictional engagement with complementary surfaces onfriction shoes abutting respective columns of the frame My novelarrangement contemplates a structure such as that above describedwherein the bolster is engaged by means of a spring plate with a novelfollower which interlocks the bolster with the above-mentioned springcap as well as with the above-mentioned friction shoes.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional View 0f a railwaycar truck embodying my invention, the

section being taken in a plane bisecting one of the frame memberslongitudinally and as indicated by the line I-I of Figure 2, only oneend of the truck being shown inasmuch as it is ,similar atopposite'ends.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the truck structure shown inFigure-1, the section being taken in the horizontal plane indicated bythe line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of thetruck ar rangement shown in Figures 1and 2, the section being taken substantially in the transverse verticalplane bisecting the truck frame and as indicated by the line 3`3 ofFigure 1.-

' ADescribing the structure in detail, myv novel truck comprises a trussside frame having the usual outline with the compression member 2,

the tension member 4, and integrally formed colber may have abox-section with a bottom chord I4, a top chord I 6, inboard andoutboard` side walls i8 and 2B, and spaced vertical *traiisversereinforcing ribs 22, 22, said vtop chord beingA widened beneath saidbolster opening to form a main spring seat 24 for coil springs seatedthereon, said coil springs being diagrammatically indi- .cated as at 32,32 and being symmetrically seated on the seat 24 as may best beunderstood from a consideration of the top plan view of Figure 2.

Positioning means 30, 30 may be formed on the seat 24 for the springs32, 32 and an annular flange 34 may be formed on the web IB around theopening 36 therein, said flange being reinforced bythe vertical ribs 23,23. Centrally of the spring seat 24, the top chord IE is'interrupted toform the before-mentioned opening 36 for reception of the auxiliaryspring 38, said spring being afforded a seat as at 39 on the bottom' webI4 of the tension member. `The upper end of the spring 38 is positionedagainst a spring cap 42 as hereinafterv described, and the upper ends ofthe spring group 32 may be confined in Well known manner by a springplate 40 upon` 4which the end of the bolster may seat ininterlockingengagement therewith as at 4l, 41.

The springcap 42 comprises the arcuate inboard and outboard side walls44 and 46 respectively, merging at the ends thereof with the V-y shapeddiagonal friction surfaces formed at the ends of the cap and incomplementary engagement with the friction shoes 12, 12 as at 82, 82.The cap also comprises a top wall with an annular opening 52 centrallythereof, said top wall being downwardly flanged as at 54 around saidopening to provide a spring seat between the flanged portion and thevarcuate walls 44 and 46` for the spring`38 as at 56 in the manner abovedescribed.

Positioned in the openingl 52 is the depending of the spring plate 4I.Centrally of the follower Il' is an openingA il aligned with andslightly smaller than the opening 52 in the spring cap 42. The openingIl in the follower is partly defined by the wall of an annular hollowlug 'lo which projects downwardly into the opening B2 in thespring capas heretofore described, `thus positioning the follower Il with respectto the spring and wherein the bolster is interlocked with said shoes andsaid spring cap by a follower and with the inboard webs of the adjacentcolumns by guide lugs. It will also be apparent that by varying theresiliency of the auxiliary spring, varying amounts of friction may bedeveloped, as desired.

Itis tobeunderstood. thatI do notwishtobe limited by the exactembodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustrationand not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, ofcourse, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

cap. Extending into the top of the opening 58 v is a lug 4I formed onthe bottom of the spring plate 4U. Thus, it may'be seen that the springplate 40 is positioned with respect to the follower by means of thespaced lugs 4I, 4i and 43.

Each friction shoe 12 is a generally rectangular compact body of metalcomprising a bottom wall 14, spaced side walls 18, 18 and a rear wall 18on the outer side of which is formed a friction surface in frictionalengagement as at 80 with the abutting friction surface 1 on the adjacentcolumn, said last-mentioned surface being malchined on the column orwelded thereto as at 9, 9.

On the inner side of each shoe is formed a V- shaped friction surface incomplementary engagement as at 82 with the abutting end of the springcap 42, and a pocket B3 is formed at the bottom of each shoe by saidV-shaped surface,.

said side walls and said bottom wall, within which pocket is positionedthe associated end ofthe spring cap. In the top of each shoeis formed arecess 85 within which is received the associated end 62 of the springcap 42, as heretofore described. f

The bolster 8B is of generally rectangular boxiike form and comprisesthe side walls 88, 88, the intermediate transverse vertical wall 90parallel with said side walls, the top wall 92, and

the bottom wall 94. Each side wall of the bolsteris provided with avertical positioning lug 9B for interlocking engagement with a bracket98 formed on the inboard web of the column 6. The depth of the lug 96 isless than the distance I claim:

1. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising tension andcompression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolsteropening and spaced window openings, said tension member comprising topand bottom webs, said top web having an annular opening therein, aspring group seated on said top web, an auxiliary spring extendingthrough saidlast-mentioned opening and seated on said bottom web, aspring cap seated on said auxiliary spring and comprising a plurality ofV-shaped friction surfaces, friction shoes in frictional engagement withrespective surfaces and with respective columns, a follower interlockedwith said shoes and said cap, and a bolster extending into said bolsteropening, supported by said spring group, and interlocked with saidfollower.

2. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame comprising spaced columnspartly dening therebetween a bolster opening, wear plates mounted onsaid columns, apluraiityof friction shoes each comprising a frictionsurface in abutment with the adjacent wear plate and a friction face onthe opposite side thereof, bolster supporting springs mounted on saidframe, a spring cap seated on certain of said springs and comprisingfriction surfaces in engagement with said faces, a member seated on andengaged with said shoes and engaged with said cap, a spring l plateseated on other of said springs and engaged with said member, and abolster end received in said opening, seated on said plate, and engagedtherewith.

between the top of the bracket 98 and the top of the bolsteropening 8 asindicated at A in Figure 3 so that the bolster may be raised in thebolster opening and removed therefrom while the supporting spring groupand novel friction device r emain in normal assembled relationship.

`In assembling my novel truck. it will be aipparent that the springgroup 42 and spring 38 may be positioned on the tension member on theirrespective seats, after which the novel friction shoes maybe-'positioned against the columns. the spring cap-42 may1 be placedupon the 3. In a railway car truck, a truss side frame comprising spacedcolumns partly defining therebetween a bolster opening, a plurality offriction shoes in frictional engagement with said columns, each of saidshoes comprising a V-shaped friction face, bolster supporting springsmounted on said frame in said opening, a spring cap seated on certain ofsaid springs and comprising friction surfaces complementary to and inengagement spring 38 and interlocked with said shoes by the follower 58.and the bolster may be inserted at the top of the bolster opening andmay be positioned with respect to the follower 58 as abovedescribed'.

It will thus be apparent that I have designed a Quick wheel changerailway car truck wherein the lower web of a two level tension memberaffords a spring seat centrally thereof for a spring auxiliary to thenormal bolster supporting spring group, said spring supporting a springlcap with V-shaped friction surfaces at the ends thereof in engagementwith complementary surfaces on associated friction shoes, said shoesalso having frictional engagement with the adjacent columns andinterlocked with said member, and a bolster received in said opening,seated on said plate, and interlocked therewith.

4. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a bolster opening andspaced columns, a pair of friction shoes each comprising an outer natface frictionally abutting one of said columns, and an inner V-shapedface, bolster supporting springs seated on said frame in said opening, aspring cap on one of said springs and comprising V-shaped frictionsurfaces in complementary engagementv with the V-shaped faces on saidshoes, a follower engaged with said cap and both of said shoes, and abolster extending into said opening,

I by other of said springs, and

i 10. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising top and bottom'members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening, alplurality of `springs supported on said bottom member in said opening,a bolster supported on certain of said springs, a spring cap seated onother of said springs and comprising V-shaped friction tion faces,friction shoes in frictional engagement with respective faces andrespective columns, and follower means seated on said shoes and engagedwith said cap, said first-mentioned springs affording bolster supportingmeans.

6. In a railway car truck, spaced side frames each comprising' acompression member, a twolevel tension member, and spaced columnsdefining therewith a bolster opening, a plurality of resilient -meansseated respectively on the upper and lower levels of said tensionmember, .a spring cap seated on the intermediate of said resilient meansand comprising friction faces, shoes in frictional engagement with saidfaces and said columns, and a bolster having an end extending into saidopening, said end being supported on and interlocked with said shoes andinterlocked with said cap, and said end being additionally supported byother of said resilient means.

'1. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprisplates mounted on saidcolumns, a plurality of friction shoes each comprising an outer flatface y ing a bolster opening and spaced columns, wear f frictionallyabutting one of said wear plates and an inner V-shaped friction face,bolster supporting springs seated on said frame in said opening,- aspring cap seated on certain of said springs and comprising V-shapedfriction surfaces in complementary engagement with respective of said V-shaped friction faces, and a bolster extending' into said opening,supported on other of said springs, and said shoes, sai'd 'bolster beingvertically movable with respect to said cap but being interlockedtherewith against relative movement longitudinallyand transversely ofsaid frame.A

8. In a railway car trucka side frame comprising a compression member, atwo-level tension member and spaced columns defining therewith a bolsteropening, a plurality ofvcoil springs seated respectively on the upperand lower levels yof said tension member, a spring cap supported bycertain of said springs and comprising friction faces, friction shoes infrictional engagement with respective faces and respective columns, afollower engaged with said cap and said shoes, and a bolster extendinginto said opening, supported interlocked with said follower. y l

9. In a railway car truck, a side frame com faces at the ends thereofand an opening in the top wall thereof friction shoes in frictionalengagement with respective faces and respective columns, and a memberinterlocked with said.

shoes and said bolster and comprising engaging means extending intosaid'last-mentioned opening 1.1. In a follower for a railway car truck,a flat member having a narrowed shoe engaging portion at each endthereof and interlocking'means on the top thereof, and a depending lugcentrally of said member and intermediate said portions for interlockingengagement with an associated friction means.

12. `In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compressionmember, a tension member, l and spaced columns dening therewith abolst'er opening, a plurality of coil springs seated on said tensionmember, a spring cap supported by certain of said springs and comprisingfriction surfaces, friction shoes in frictional engagement withrespective surfaces and respective columns, a follower engaged with saidcap and said shoes, and a bolster extending into said opening, supportedby other of said springs, and engaged withsaid follower.

13. In a railway cartruck, a truss side frame comprising a compressionmember, a tension member, and spaced columns defining therewith abolster opening, a plurality of springs seated on said tension member,a, spring cap on certainof said springs, friction shoes supported bysaid cap below the tops of the other of said springs and in frictionalengagement with respective columns, a member interlocking said shoes andsaid cap, and a bolster end received in said opening, supported on thelast-mentioned springs, and interlocked with said last-mentioned member.

14. In 'a railway car truck, a side frame comprisingtop and bottommembers and spaced columns defining therewith. a bolster opening, aplurality of coil springs supported on said bottom member 'in saidopening, a spring cap seated on certain of said springs'and comprisingV-shaped friction surfaces at the ends thereof and an opening in the topwall thereof, friction shoesl supported by said columns in frictionalengagement with said surfaces, a member interlockedvwith said shoes andcomprising positioning means extending into said last-mentioned opening,and a bolster supported on the other of said springs at a prising acompression member, a two-level tenintermediate of said springs andcomprising fricl tion faces,.friction shoes in frictional engagementwith respective faces and respective plates,v and a bolster extendinginto said opening supported by other of said springs and .said shoes,said bolster being interlocked with said cap against relativelongitudinal or transverse movement with respect thereto.

point above said cap' and engaged with said member.

l5. In a railway car truck, a frame comprising spaced columns and an,intervening bolster opening, friction means comprising friction shoes infrictional engagement with respective columns,

and wedge m'eans resiliently supported between said shoes in wedgeengagement therewith, 'a

`bolster in said opening comprising a bottom wall bearing vertically onsaid -shoes for actuation thereof, and a spring group on said framebearing against` said bottom wall bolster.

16. In a, railway car truck, a side frame comprising a bolster openingand spaced columns, bolster supporting resilient means supported by saidframe in said opening, a spring cap supportfor support of said Y ed bycertain of said means, a plurality of friction shoes each havingfrictional engagement with said cap and with the adjacent column, afollower seated on said shoes and interlockled therewith and with saidspring cap, and a. bolster extending into said opening, lsupported bysaid' means, and bearing on said follower.

17. In a side frame for a railway car truck, top and bottom members andspaced columns denning therewith a, bolster opening, a plurality ofbolster supporting springs on said bottom member in said opening,friction means on the intermediate of said springs, friction elementsengaged with said means and respective columns, and follower meansseated upon and interlocked wit said elements.

18. In a railway car truck, a side frame comfriction surfaces on saidcolumns, resilient means seated on said frame in said opening, a cap oncertain of said means and comprising V-shaped friction faces, frictionshoes in frictional engagement with said faces and said surfaces, and abolster extending into said opening and supported on other of saidresilientl means, said bolster being operatively engaged with saidshoes,

19. In a railway car truck, a side frame com- `20. In a railway cartruck, a side frame com-- prising spaced columns and an interveningbolster opening, resilient means on said fr'ame in said opening, wedgemeans supported on said resilient means, friction elements engaging'said wedge means and respective columns, a bolster in said openingcomprising a bottom wall above said elements and bearing verticallythereon for actuation thereof, and a spring group on said frame bearingagainst said wall for lsupport of4 said bolster.

21. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns andan intervening bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in saidopening, a friction member thereon, friction shoes engaging said memberand respective columns,

' a bolster in said opening comprising a substantially horizontal bottomwall above said shoes and bearing vertically thereon, and a spring groupon said frame for support of said bolster.

22. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns andan intervening bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in saidopening, a friction member on certain of said means, friction elementsengaging said member and respective columns, and a bolster in saidopening above said elements and comprising a substantially horizontalbottom wall supported from other of said means, and means engaging saidbolster with said elements for actuation thereof, said elements beingentirely Adisposed beneath said bottom wall` 23. In a railway car truck,a side frame comprising spaced columns and an intervening bolsteropening, resilient means on said frame in said prising a bolster openingand spaced columns,

bolster and said elements for interlocking said bolster therewith, and aspring group on sai frame for support of said bolster. 24. In a railwaycar truck, a side'frame comprising spaced columns and an interveningbolster opening, springs on said frame in said opening, a frictionmember seated on one of said springs, rfriction elements in frictionalengagement with said member and respective columns, and a bolstercomprising a bottom wall supported cn vthe other of said springs andoperatively engaged with said elements, said elements being entirelydisposed beneath said bottom wall.

2 5. In a railway car truck, a. side frame comprising spaced columns andan intervening bolster opening, springs onsaid frame in said opening, afriction member seated on one of said springs, friction elements infrictional engagement with said member and respective columns, and abolster supported on the other of said springs and operatively engagedwith said elements, said operative engagement comprising a rigid memberseated upon and -engaged with said 'elements and also engaged with saidfriction member, and means engaging said bolster with said rigid member.

26. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns andan intervening bolster opening, a plurality of friction shoes engagedwith respective columns, bolster supporting springs on said frame insaid opening, a friction member on certain of said springs andcomprising friction surfaces in engagement with said shoes, afollbolster supported on other of said springs and engaged with saidfriction elements.

28. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns andan intervening bolster opening, a plurality of springs on said frame insaid pening, a friction member on certain of said springs, frictionelements engaged with said member and respective columns, a followermember seated on and engaged with said elements and interloeked withsaid friction member, and a bolster supported on other of said springsand operatively engaged with said follower member.

29. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns andan intervening bolster opening, friction shoes in engagement withrespective columns, a, friction element resiliently supported from saidframe in wedge engagement with said shoes, a bolster supporting springgroup on said frame in saidopening, a bolster comprisi ing asubstantially horizontal bottom wall supported on said group above saidshoes, and actuating means engaging the bolster with said shoes.

30. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising spaced columns andan intervening bolster opening, friction shoes in engagement withsurfaces on respective columns extending transversely of said frame,means resiliently supporting said shoes from said frame, saidmeanscomprising a member in complementary wedge enfaces on respective/columnsextending transversely of said frame, means resiliently, supporting saidshoes from said frame, said means comprising a member in wedgeengagement with said shoes, a bolster supporting spring group on saidframe in'said opening, a follower member seated upon and engaged withsaid shoes, and abolster 'on said spring group land operatively engagedwith said follower member, said shoes being entirely disposed beneaththe upper level of said group.

32. In a railway car truck, a side frame, a spring group supportedtherefrom, a friction member resiliently supported from said framecentrally of said group, friction shoes at opposite sides of said memberin wedge engagement therewith, saidshoes being entirely disposed beneaththe upper .level of said group and being in frictional engagement withfriction means on said frame, and a bolster supported from said groupand said shoes.

33. In a railway car truck, a side frame, a plurality of springssupported therefroma friction member on'the intermediate of saidsprings, friction elements frictionally engaged with said member andwith means on said frame, and a bolster supported on the` other of saidsprings, said bolster being operatively associated with said frictionelements.

34. In a railway car truck, a. side frame comprising spaced columnsandan intervening bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in saidopening, a friction member on said resilient means, friction shoesengaging said member and respective columns, and a bolster in saidopening comprising a substantially horizontal bottom wall above saidshoes `and bearing vertically thereon.

l DAVID M. LIGHT.

